Topic 4 Inorganic Chemistry & the Periodic Table Flashcards
(222 cards)
Appearance of group 2 elements
Pure: bright, silvery solids.
Exposed to air: they form oxides surface layers, so appear dull.
Factors to consider when explaining trends in ionisation energy
Nuclear charge.
The orbital in which the electron exists.
The shielding effect– the repulsion between the filled inner shells & the electron being removed.
Why do first and second ionisation energies decrease down group 2?
As the nuclear charge increases, the force of attraction for the electron being removed also increases. This is outweighed by the combined effect of:
As each quantum shell is added, the energy of the outermost electrons increases.
As the number of filled inner shells increases, their force of repulsion on the electron being removed increases.
Why is there a general increase in reactivity down group 2?
The element becomes a M2+ ion, and 2nd ionisation energy/ the energy needed to remove 2 electrons from each atom of the element decreases down the group.
What must be included in ionisation energy equations after each atom & ion?
The state symbol (g).
What happens when magnesium burns in air?
There is a very bright flame & a formation of white solid.
What happens when calcium, strontium & barium are burnt in air?
The same as magnesium, but more vigorous.
If the metals are fresh samples, it is hard to distinguish between their reactions in air. How can this be overcome?
If the burning metal is placed in a glass jar of oxygen, the same reaction occurs but more vigorously.
What happens to the group 2 element in oxygen without heating?
A slow reaction that forms a surface coating of oxide, which prevents the element from further reaction.
Why is barium stored under oil?
To prevent it reacting with oxygen and water vapour in the air, as it is the most reactive.
General equation for group 2 elements + oxygen:
2M(s) + O2(g) –> 2MO(s) (oxides).
What happens to reactions with chlorine down group 2?
They get more vigorous, but this is harder to see than in oxygen.
General equation for group 2 elements + chlorine (requires heating):
M(s) + Cl2 (g) –> MCl2 (s) (chlorides).
Magnesium + water
Very slow, does not proceed completely; not very vigorous. The piece of magnesium is covered in bubbles of hydrogen gas.
How can the increasing vigour of the reactions of calcium, strontium & barium with water be observed?
Increasing effervescence.
General equation for group 2 elements + water:
M(s) + 2H2O (l) –> M(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g) (hydrogen gas + hydroxide).
Reaction of calcium + water
Ca (s) + 2H2O (l) –> Ca(OH)2 (s) + H2 (g) Calcium hydroxide is only slightly soluble in water, so the liquid goes cloudy as a precipitate of calcium hydroxide forms.
Reaction of barium + water
Ba (s) + 2H2O (l) –> Ba(OH)2 (aq) + H2 (g) Barium hydroxide is soluble in water, hence (aq).
What happens when magnesium is heated in steam?
It rapidly forms magnesium oxide ( a white solid) + hydrogen gas in a vigorous reaction.
Equation for when magnesium is heated in steam:
Mg (s) + H2O (g) –> MgO (s) + H2 (g)
In the reaction between Mg + steam, why is hydrogen burnt as it leaves the tube?
Safety! To prevent the release of a highly flammable gas into the lab.
Group 2 oxides
Basic oxides: they can react with water to form alkalis.
General equation for a group 2 oxide + water:
MO (s) + H2O (l) –> M(OH)2 (aq) (Hydroxide.) Colourless solution.
This can be simplified to:
O2- + H2O –> 2OH- Colourless solution.
The formation of hydroxide ions = alkaline solution.
How does the solubility of group 2 hydroxides change down the group?
Solubility of group 2 hydroxides increases down the group because the relative decrease in lattice enthalpy is more than the relative decrease in hydration enthalpies.